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本文是一篇说明文，主要介绍了中国古代一项伟大的发明——算盘。
The abacus was invented on the basis that Chinese used the counting-rod （算筹）for a long period. In ancient times, people used small sticks to count. Later, with the development of productivity, the amount requiring calculation was greater, and calculation with counting-rods limited the calculation. Thus, people invented a more advanced counter—the abacus.
The abacus is rectangular with wooden frame on the four sides and small rods fixed inside strung with wooden beads （珠子）; a girder （横梁）across the middle separates the abacus into two parts：each rod has two beads on its upper part, each representing five, and five beads on the lower part, each representing one.
With the application of the abacus, people summarized many abacus rhymes, increasing the calculating speed. By the time of the Ming Dynasty （1368 AD—1644 AD）, people could use the abacus in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, which were widely used in calculating weight, amount, space and volume.
Since it is simple to make an abacus and cheap to buy one, and it is easy to remember abacus rhymes, simple and convenient to calculate with an abacus, it is widely used in China. There are many experts in the use of the abacus in all trades and professions, and some people can use an abacus with two hands at the same time.
Later the abacus gradually spread into Japan, Korea, America, and countries and regions in Southeast Asia. People find that using an abacus can improve thinking and practical abilities in addition to providing convenient calculation. Since it requires cooperation of the mind, eyes and hand, it is a good way to improve the comprehensive reaction ability.
算盘是中国人在长期使用算筹的基础上发明的。古时候，人们用小木棍进行计算。后来，随着生产的发展，需要计算的数目越来越大，用小木棍计算受到了限制。于是，人们发明了更先进的计算器——算盘。
算盘是长方形的，四周是木框，里面固定着一根根小木棍，小木棍上串着木珠，中间有一根横梁把算盘分成两部分：每根木棍的上半部有两个珠子，每个珠子代表五；下半部有五个珠子，每个珠子代表一。
随着算盘的使用，人们总结出许多珠算口诀，加快了计算速度。到了明代（1368—1644），人们已能用算盘进行加减乘除，这些运算被广泛用于计算物体的重量、数量、面积和体积。
由于算盘制作简单、价格便宜，珠算口诀便于记忆、运算又简便，所以算盘在中国被广泛使用。中国各行各业都有一批打算盘的高手，而且有的人能用左右两只手同时打算盘。
算盘后来陆续流传到了日本、朝鲜、美国和东南亚国家和地区。人们在使用过程中发现，使用算盘，除了提供方便的运算外，还能锻炼思维能力和动手能力。因为打算盘需要脑、眼、手的密切配合，是提升综合反应能力的一种好方法。
require vt. 要求，需要
advanced adj. 先进的，高级的
application n. 应用
With the application of the abacus, people summarized many abacus rhymes, increasing the calculating speed.
随着算盘的使用，人们总结出许多珠算口诀，加快了计算速度。
Since it is simple to make an abacus and cheap to buy one, and it is easy to remember abacus rhymes, simple and convenient to calculate with an abacus, it is widely used in China.
由于算盘制作简单、价格便宜，珠算口诀便于记忆、运算又简便，所以算盘在中国被广泛使用。
